This week, the Eurogamer team has been diving into a variety of virtual worlds, tackling everything from the latest changes in Battlefield 6 to the persistent allure of Cyberpunk 2077. The diverse range of experiences includes unexpected real-world setbacks, the joy of rediscovering game libraries, and the strategic depth of roguelikes.
Battlefield 6 Gameplay Adjustments
Sherif examined the latest update for Battlefield 6, which rolled out as the final patch of Season 3. While the upcoming Season 4 promises the addition of naval combat, this particular update focused on tweaking the core gameplay mechanics, specifically the gunplay and feel of all weapons. The stated goal was to reduce the lethality of long-range shooting, aiming to bring encounters closer to the style of Battlefield 4. Sherif found that while close-range combat remained largely unchanged in its pace of death and kills, the incentive for controlled fire at medium to long ranges was less pronounced than anticipated. Players with established weapon preferences reportedly adapted quickly. A more noticeable effect is the increased strictness of weapon archetypes, limiting the roles each weapon class can effectively fill, with SMGs, for example, proving significantly less effective beyond 100 meters.
A Tale of Loss and Rebuilding
Dom recounted a particularly unfortunate turn of events. Following a visit to the Game Music Festival in London, his bag was stolen at Waterloo station. This resulted in the loss of personal belongings and his Switch 2 console. Despite the setback, Dom acquired a new Switch 2 and began the process of redownloading his game library, prioritizing titles like Final Fantasy 1-12 and Persona 3, 4, and 5. He noted that the Switch 2's user interface made this tedious task relatively seamless. However, the loss of all save data, as he is not subscribed to Switch Online, meant the forfeiture of a nearly complete Pokémon FireRed Pokédex, a fully explored world in Pokopia, and all completed Final Fantasy save files.
Roguelike Inspiration and Community Resources
Bertie shared a similar experience to Dom regarding the Game Music Festival, having also attended the Hades Game Music Festival performance and finding it to be an invigorating showcase of passion and adoration for the game. Inspired by this, Bertie returned to playing Hades 2, engaging in a lengthy session with friends that reached Chronos, though ultimately without a victory. This experience highlighted the value of learned skill in roguelikes and reinforced the worth of dedicated playtime.
Connor found himself drawn back to Cyberpunk 2077 for the fourth time, motivated by the Cyberpunk Edgerunners anime. He expressed astonishment at the significant improvements made to the game since its launch, particularly noting the contrast between the initial release and the Phantom Liberty experience. During this playthrough, Connor made a point of retrieving a unique sword from the Konpeki Plaza helipad, an opportunity available only during the early stages of the game. He also benefited from the wealth of community-made resources, such as lists of iconic weapons and their acquisition methods, which he now frequently consults when revisiting older titles.
Chris, while testing the Steam Machine, found himself gravitating towards smaller, easily digestible games. He highlighted Sektori as a particularly compelling title, noting its challenging boss encounters. Chris found that a break often led to success, as he managed to defeat the third boss with relative ease after a period away, having gained a clearer understanding of the game's buff mechanics. For Chris, the Steam Machine is increasingly becoming a platform for playing existing favorite games in a new context.
Kelsey is preparing for a substantial Persona experience, having decided to start Persona 5 Royal despite not having finished Persona 3 Reload or Persona 4 Golden. With the anticipation of a Persona 4 remake and Persona 6, Kelsey felt compelled to tackle Persona 5 Royal due to the games' significant length. The transition from the crisp visuals of Persona 3 Reload on the Switch 2 to Persona 5 Royal's 540p handheld resolution proved to be a jarring initial experience. Despite some reservations about the story and visual quality, Kelsey is committed to finishing the game, finding that its unique atmosphere, including an airsoft gun and a talking 'cat' companion, compensates for some of its perceived shortcomings.